Stephanie Williams
Jan 16, 2026
Phase 1: Define the project
☐ What problem are we solving?
☐ What does “done” clearly look like?
☐ Why is this project important right now? What happens if it waits?
☐ Who is the project owner (one person)?
☐ What is included in this project?
☐ What is explicitly out of scope?
☐ What is the realistic target completion date? What is the reason for this date?
Phase 2: Plan (Just enough)
☐ Break the project into 5-10 major steps
☐ Assign an owner to each step
☐ Identify key milestones or checkpoints
☐ Estimate timing in weeks, not hours
☐ Identify top risks or concerns and how they will be addressed
☐ Decide how progress will be tracked (list, board, document, etc.)
Phase 3: Do, Track & adjust
☐ Schedule regular check-ins (weekly works well)
☐ Ask at each check-in:
· What moved forward?
· What’s stuck?
· What changed?
· What needs a decision?
☐ Make progress visible to the team
☐ Address issues early
☐ Adjust the plan as needed – without losing sight of the goal
Before you close the project
☐ Confirm the project goal has been met
☐ Communicate completion to stakeholders
☐ Capture lessons learned (what worked / what didn’t)
☐ Celebrate the win – even small ones count!